Volkswagen ID.4 vs Buick Envista

The 2024 Buick Envista had a distinct look and feel rooted in a design ethos that set it apart from its Chevy Trax platform sibling. Despite sharing the same foundation, the Envista ventured into a different stylistic direction. Its sloping roofline gave it a "crossover coupe" appearance, a design choice previously reserved for larger, more luxurious vehicles like the BMW X4 and X6. While a more traditional roofline could have improved rear visibility, the compromise was acceptable in Envista’s case.

The coupe-like profile was complemented by a new front-end design, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept revealed in 2022. This styling incorporated a split lighting setup with thin elements on top serving as daytime running lights, while the actual headlights were positioned perpendicularly adjacent to the grille, resembling oversized fog lights. This arrangement, similar to designs seen in the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Cherokee, was executed uniquely in the Envista, integrating the lighting elements into a pronounced, shark-nosed prow.

Unlike its older Buick counterparts like the Envision and Encore GX, the Envista was the first model conceived with this front-end treatment from the start, showcasing a sleeker look. The Envista's front design was expected to influence Buick's future electric models, starting within the 2024 calendar year. Trim levels varied significantly in their aesthetic touches; the ST grade featured black exterior trim with standard 18-inch wheels (optional 19-inch wheels), while the top Avenir trim boasted bright exterior trim and standard 19-inch wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish, as well as distinctive interior contrast stitching.

Inside, the Envista's cabin bore similarities to the Trax but featured several refinements. The Trax's large round air vents and upturned surfaces were replaced with a more streamlined look, alongside softer dashboard and door armrest materials. However, these materials had a grained texture that felt somewhat cheap, aligning with the vehicle's entry-level pricing. The cabin included cloth-and-leatherette upholstery in the base Envista Preferred, with leather seats as standard in the Avenir. All trims featured a flat-bottom steering wheel, while an eight-way power driver's seat was standard in the Avenir and optional in other trims. Overall, the Envista's cabin presented a modest upgrade over the Trax but fell within the expectations for an entry-level vehicle.

Contrastingly, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 adhered to a conservative yet timeless design, characteristic of the brand. Its subtle styling had aged well over the years, highlighting functionality over dramatics. For 2024, the AWD versions came with standard 20-inch wheels, and the S Plus trim sported a 21-inch design.

The ID.4 lineup was diverse, comprising two core models: ID.4 and ID.4 Pro, differentiated primarily by battery capacity—62 kWh for the ID.4 and 82 kWh for the ID.4 Pro. Each model had three trim levels: base, S, and S Plus, with an optional AWD for Pro models to enhance traction and performance. Price-wise, the lineup spanned from an MSRP of $39,735 for the entry-level trim to $57,055 plus a $1,425 destination charge.

Inside, the ID.4 exhibited notable refinements for 2024. The transmission selector was relocated from a pod next to the digital instrumentation to a stalk on the steering wheel's right side. Wiper controls moved to the left stalk, and lighting controls were consolidated onto a touch-sensing pad on the left dashboard. The Pro trims boasted a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that facilitated climate control access and illuminated touch-sensing slider controls for volume and temperature settings. Available interior options included Cosmic Black or Galaxy-themed artificial leather upholstery.

Volkswagen also enhanced other minor details, such as ventilated front seats in Pro S and Pro S Plus trims and an upgraded Harman Kardon premium sound system option. Overall, the ID.4 interior catered well to user comfort and convenience, despite some quirks with its touch-sensitive controls, and represented a more mainstream yet futuristic EV experience with its technological advancements and ergonomic design updates.

The 2024 Buick Envista featured a singular powertrain borrowed directly from the Trax: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and FWD. This engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, identical to the Trax. Despite its modest specs, the powertrain offered a surprisingly refined driving experience, delivering power smoothly akin to larger engines with multi-speed transmissions.

Unlike its predecessor, the Buick Encore, which offered both FWD and AWD, the Envista was exclusively FWD, further differentiating it from the similarly priced Encore GX, which remained the most affordable AWD Buick. The base Envista models featured a torsion-beam rear suspension similar to the Trax, while models equipped with 19-inch wheels—such as the Avenir and some ST trims—utilized a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension, purportedly improving ride quality. Regardless of the configuration, the front suspension comprised a MacPherson strut setup, fine-tuned with Buick-specific bushings and dampers to enhance quietness over road imperfections.

The Envista's driving route included roads used for suspension tuning, and it handled Michigan's weathered pavement admirably. The Watts Link-equipped Envista ST managed bumps well and handled corners effectively, though it felt somewhat unsettled on imperfect straightaways. This minor issue notwithstanding, the Envista showcased a refined driving experience, merging smoothly onto highways despite its small engine size while providing a quieter and more relaxed ride than the Trax.

Conversely, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 benefited from significant powertrain upgrades, especially with the new rear electric drive motor available in single-motor Pro models. This motor produced 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, accelerating the ID.4 to 60 mph in a claimed 5.9 seconds, a 1.3-second improvement over the 2023 model. The 62-kWh models continued with the previous motor, generating 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.

The upgrade to the Pro models, which included AWD, added an additional electric motor at the front, independently driving the wheels on its respective axle and boosting the power to 335 hp. This configuration enabled the ID.4 to reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, substantially enhancing acceleration compared to its single-motor counterpart.

The 2024 ID.4 Pro also offered improved driving range, with EPA ratings of 291 miles for the RWD model and 263 miles for the AWD version. Charging capabilities included compatibility with 11-kW Level 2 home stations, fully recharging the 62-kWh battery in 6.25 hours and the 82-kWh battery in under eight hours. DC fast charging rates were equally impressive, with the 62-kWh battery handling up to 140 kW and the 82-kWh battery up to 175 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes.

Our testing of the ID.4 Pro S with RWD during a media event in Pasadena, California, revealed its efficient energy consumption, outperforming its EPA rating with an observed rate of 28.6 kWh/100 miles. The drive encompassed city, freeway, and mountain roads, and the ID.4 impressed with its smooth acceleration, effortless merging, and strong performance on twisty mountain routes. It handled comfortably at city speeds, albeit with noticeable road noise at higher velocities, and featured a firm yet controlled ride.

The brake pedal felt natural, a notable achievement for regenerative braking systems, and the regen mode effectively slowed the vehicle, though it did not facilitate one-pedal driving. Overall, the 2024 ID.4 Pro demonstrated competitive performance, aligning well with rival EVs and offering a well-rounded driving experience.

The 2024 Buick Envista offered a more spacious interior than its predecessor, the Encore, thanks to its 14.2-inch longer body and 5.7-inch wheelbase extension. These new proportions enhanced the vehicle's stylish design and increased interior space. Rear-seat legroom grew by three inches, and shoulder room in both rows increased by approximately two inches, providing a more comfortable and less cramped environment. However, the sloping roofline reduced headroom slightly, particularly for rear-seat passengers.

Seat comfort in the Envista was commendable for its price range, and the longer wheelbase contributed to a roomier cabin overall. The car-like design translated to lower driving positions and excellent outward visibility, thanks to low side glass and a short hood. However, the coupe-like roofline resulted in a car-like cargo space, with only 20.7 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats and 42 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded down. This was less than the 25.6 cubic feet and 54.1 cubic feet offered by the Trax in similar configurations.

On the other hand, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4’s interior enhancements focused on improving usability and comfort. The redesigned transmission selector was relocated next to the steering wheel, wiper controls moved to a new stalk, and lighting controls were grouped on a touch-sensing pad on the dashboard. The touch-sensing steering wheel controls saw minor modifications, though accidental activations occurred during use.

The ID.4 Pro versions featured a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced usability. The infotainment setup was designed for better accessibility to climate controls and illuminated touch-sensing sliders for volume and temperature adjustments. Ventilated front seats were added to the Pro S and Pro S Plus models, enhancing comfort in warmer climates.

The ID.4 offered comfortable front seats with excellent outward visibility, standard heated features, and additional options like heated rear seats and triple-zone climate control in higher trims. Rear passenger comfort was satisfactory, with ample legroom and footroom, supportive seating positions, and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB-C ports.

Folding the 60/40-split rear seats provided versatility, with pass-through accommodation for longer items. The ID.4 boasted 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 64.2 cubic feet when folded. Unlike the Envista, the ID.4 did not have a front trunk, but its practical cargo volume offered significant utility for an EV.

In the technology department, the 2024 Buick Envista came equipped with an 11-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster as standard, skipping the base system found in the Trax. The setup included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The user interface, while visually similar to the Trax, was easy to use, with retained physical controls for climate and audio. However, the angled center stack made it difficult for the front-seat passenger to reach these controls. The lack of high-end tech options, such as a head-up display, was noticeable, though the amount of standard features exceeded expectations for an entry-level vehicle.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system for the Pro models. Although it wasn't as visually appealing, the improved user experience was significant. The interface included a home screen with customizable data panels, quick-access menu tiles, and an always-visible strip of climate controls.

The system supported battery preconditioning for planned DC fast-charging sessions and came with a nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system for the S Plus trim. Pairing with smartphones and using Apple CarPlay was seamless, and the system incorporated gesture controls, though these were not tested extensively during our drive.

Volkswagen's infotainment system included three years of complimentary Plus Nav and Plus Speech access, featuring a voice assistant named Ida. Despite some limitations in voice command functionality, the system provided useful features like climate control adjustments.

The ID.4 also came with a five-year subscription to Remote Access and Safe & Secure plans, offering services like remote battery charging and roadside assistance. Additionally, the Car-Net Hotspot service allowed for Wi-Fi connectivity and access to a wide range of internet radio and podcast stations.

The 2024 Buick Envista was equipped with standard driver-assistance technologies, including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of our review, reflecting the early phase of the model's release.

Similarly, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 featured an extensive range of standard safety features through its IQ.Drive advanced driver assistance systems, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The semi-autonomous Travel Assist managed following distances and lane-centering effectively during our brief test. Emergency Assist could recognize unresponsive drivers and safely bring the vehicle to a stop, while semi-autonomous parking assist with Memory Parking automated routine parking maneuvers.

The ID.4 earned favorable ratings from the NHTSA, though IIHS evaluations were still underway. The ID.4’s post-collision braking system further enhanced safety by stopping the vehicle after airbag deployment to minimize secondary impacts.